Independent guide. Check your council's website for your exact bill. Data last verified April 2026.
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Practical

How to pay council tax (and what happens if you don't)

Direct debit is by far the simplest. The default is 10 monthly instalments but you can choose 12. Below is a step-by-step guide to the enforcement timeline if you fall behind, so you know what to expect at each stage.

Payment methods

  • Direct debit (recommended)
  • Online card payment via the council site
  • Phone (24-hour automated line for most councils)
  • Standing order (rarely used)
  • At the Post Office (cash or debit card)
  • Bank transfer using your council reference

Payment schedule

  • Default: 10 instalments, April to January
  • Optional: 12 instalments, all year round
  • Single annual payment also accepted
  • Bills usually arrive in March, first payment due April

If you cannot pay

  • Contact your council immediately, do not ignore the bill
  • Ask about the discretionary hardship fund
  • Apply for Council Tax Reduction if you are on a low income
  • Free debt advice: Citizens Advice, StepChange, National Debtline

The enforcement timeline

Each step adds time, costs and stress. The single best thing you can do at any stage is contact your council. Most will agree a revised payment plan rather than escalate.

  1. 1

    Reminder notice

    If you miss a payment, the council sends a reminder. You have seven days to pay the missed amount. If you do, the schedule continues as normal.

  2. 2

    Final notice

    Miss a second instalment in the same year, or fail to clear the arrears after a reminder, and you receive a final notice. You lose the right to pay by instalments. The whole year's bill becomes due in seven days.

  3. 3

    Summons to magistrates' court

    If you do not clear the bill within seven days, the council applies for a court summons. Costs of typically £70-£100 are added to your account. The hearing date is usually three to four weeks later.

  4. 4

    Liability order

    At the hearing, the magistrates issue a liability order. You can attend, but the only valid defences are that the tax was not properly demanded, or you have already paid. After the order, the council can recover the debt by various means.

  5. 5

    Enforcement

    Recovery options include: an attachment of earnings (deductions from your wages); deductions from benefits; an enforcement agent visit (bailiff); or, in extreme cases, committal proceedings. Enforcement agent fees can add hundreds of pounds to the debt.

Frequently asked questions

Should I pay over 10 months or 12?
Most councils default to 10 monthly instalments running from April to January, then a two-month break. You have a statutory right to ask for 12 monthly instalments instead, which spreads the same total bill over the whole year and reduces each monthly amount by about a fifth. Either way, the total you pay is identical. The 12-month schedule is usually easier to budget but you have to ask for it before April or shortly afterwards.
Is there a discount for paying by direct debit?
Some councils offer a small discount of £5 to £10 a year for paying by direct debit, although many have phased it out. Direct debit also avoids missed payments and the costs that come with them. If you can pay by direct debit, do.
Can I pay in one lump sum?
Yes. Most councils allow a single annual payment, and a few even offer a small discount for it. If you can afford to pay in one go, contact your council to set it up.
Will council tax debt show on my credit file?
Council tax arrears do not normally appear on credit reference agency files. The exception is if the council obtains a County Court Judgment, which is rare for council tax (they usually use the magistrates' court instead). However, bailiff action and attachments of earnings can affect your wider financial standing and your relationship with your employer.

Related: check whether you qualify for any discounts first, and see our 10 ways to reduce your bill.